{{Kigali}}- {Kayihura Narcisse, 50, an engineer by profession also owner of ABEM (AB Manufacturing Engineering), has invested Rwf 300 million in the construction of a factory which produces heavy metals and other industrial equipments.}
“This business does not generate as much profit as investing in general trade. But in social life, we, as Rwandans must be the firsts to advance our society towards industrialization as well as to be self reliant” said Ir Kayihura
He was referring to President Paul Kagame who always asks Rwandans to actively work for their own development and the development of their country.
“We offer all the services needed by machinists who want to give a ride to their machines. We design, produce and manufacture machines as desired by those who make the order. They give us the idea of the machine they want.” He said
Apart from making machines they also manufacture and repair parts for machines of different factories in the country including tea factories, rice factories, etc.
He said the factory has enough capacity to produce all necessary machines needed in Rwanda.
Kayihura says that even if there is a political will to advance the Rwandan industry, there are certain shortcomings that must be up.
“I usually make the machines on behalf of my clients. And I have to pay VAT (Value Added Tax) for this machine while someone who imports the same machine is exempt from VAT. We understand that it may at some point affect efforts of domestic production, “He said.
However, he said he has a hope for the next tripartite meeting that will bring together the Ministry of Trade, RBS (Rwanda Bureau of standards) and RRA (Rwanda Revenue Authority) to resolve this issue once and for all.
He urged local industry manufacturers instead of importing equipments outside the country especially for food processing plants to come to ABEM which is a locally factory that can produce all they go to import abroad.
“We launched a debate in PSF (Private Sector Federation) on the issue of importing useless machines that are manufactured locally. For this we ask Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to turn to us. We have powerful machines they wants, “said the engineer.
He called upon the governments to invest considerable political will in supporting the Rwandan Machine Industries so that they become quite competitive and sustainable
He explains “You can invest several hundred millions of capital in the field of machine Industry. It is not certain that the profits will reapply immediately. But it different when you look on fund invested in the import-export.”
The steel industry is located in the District of Kicukiro south of Kigali. It is situated between UPROTUR, another big steel industry and WFP (World Food Programme) Offices.
ABEM is an industrial group specializing in the treatment of heavy and light steel as well as producing machines of all kind.
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